Sorting through mixed ducklings?

[newfmom]

My local feed store is getting in some new ducklings on the 29th, but they don't know what they are getting since its a mixed batch. Do different breed of ducklings all look the same? I was hoping to pick out some muscovies if they have any and perhaps a couple of runners. If the ducklings have individual characteristics from the other breeds, then what do I look for? Thanks!

 

[Oregon Blues]

The runners are usually easy to pick out. If you watch the ducklings moving around, the runners are very upright.

I'd be surprised to see Moscovies in a batch of mixed ducklings. They tend to be much more expensive, so are usually sold separately.

Other than that, you can often sort out ducklings by the color, number of eye stripes, etc. If you know what hatchery they are coming from, you can look on-line to see what breeds that hatchery sells.